Helen Boaden told staff that the BBC had taken a 'small knock' during the Savile scandal. Photograph: Jeff Overs/BBC/PA

The BBC's director of news, Helen Boaden, has issued a rallying cry to the corporation's crisis-hit staff after "several bruising weeks" of public criticism over the Jimmy Savile affair.

Boaden returned to her £354,000-a-year role on Thursday, telling BBC News journalists in a memo that she would take seriously the findings of the Pollard review into the corporation's handling of the Savile saga.

She said in the memo, seen by MediaGuardian: "I am back at my desk this morning after several bruising weeks away – bruising not just for me, but for a lot of other people as well and of course the BBC as a whole. Yesterday in particular was a grim day for us all.

"It's hard to face such strong public criticism and to find ourselves leading our own news bulletins. All of us, and me especially, need to take that criticism very seriously."

Boaden temporarily "stepped aside" as director of news on 12 November as the BBC attempted to contain the crisis that prompted George Entwistle's resignation after 54 days as director general.

She faced some criticism from Nick Pollard, the ex head of Sky News, in his scathing report published on Wednesday on the BBC's "incapable and chaotic" management failings after ITV finally broadcast the Savile child sex abuse allegations in October, nearly a year after Newsnight shelved an investigation on the same subject.

The Pollard review concluded that Boaden failed to take responsibility or act decisively when her news division was in "virtual meltdown" in October and November. It also revealed that she had offered to resign in October, but was turnd down by former director general George Entwistle.

Boaden said in her memo to staff that there was much to learn from the Pollard review "especially about sharing better within News Group and with the rest of the BBC".

She paid tribute to Stephen Mitchell, her deputy who resigned on Wednesday in the wake of the report. She said: "I'm glad to be back of course, but I'm very aware that after what we read and heard yesterday, we have quite a job of work to do. And, like many of you, I'm saddened that we'll be doing it without the help of one of our most experienced, best-loved and respected leaders in Steve Mitchell.

"Steve has been dedicated to delivering the best public service journalism throughout his career and has nurtured and protected creative talent both on and off air. Many of you told me yesterday how grateful you are to him for the time he has always given to your concerns. He has stoutly defended the independence and courage of BBC journalism and we shall all miss his great calm and wisdom."

She conceded that trust in the BBC had taken a "small knock" during the Savile scandal, but said they were now climbing back.

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